A WOMAN who was known to have a drink problem is believed to have accidentally taken a combination of alcohol and tranquillisers which proved fatal.

Irene Ashworth, 45, of Springfield Road, Rawtenstall, was found at her home on March 23.

Pathologist Dr Abdul Al-Dawoud said she drunk about five times the legal driving limit of alcohol and taken tranquillisers within the therapeutic range. He gave the cause of death as the combined effects of alcohol and drugs.

Her son Simon Greenhalgh, of Cowpe Road, Cowpe, told the inquest in Rawtenstall his mother had a drink problem for about 15 years.

Although she had talked of suicide he did not believe she would intentionally try to take her own life.

Mrs Ashworth's partner of six years, until last year, Edward Martin, of Fallowfield, said: "I can categorically state she would not have taken her own life."

Acting East Lancashire coroner Richard Taylor recorded a verdict of accidental death.